Learn how to choose the right car seat for your child and whether you need an infant carrier, regular car seat, or a booster. Plus information on where your child should ride in the car and when you can move them to regular seat belts.
To keep your child safe, in addition to choosing the right type and model of car seat, it is important that you use your car seat correctly by following these car seat best practices.
Learn about the dangers of buying used car seats and what to know about if you do, including the car seat's history, its expiration date, and whether or not it has been recalled.
Like your baby's crib, a car seat is one of those essential baby products. In addition to understanding the types of car seats are available -- including infant, convertible, combination, and booster seats -- and getting help choosing a car seat, learning to use your car seat correctly can help keep your kids safe.
Choosing a car seat for your baby is usually pretty easy, as there are only a few options. Infants have to sit in a rear-facing, infant-only car seat (with a carrier that sits on a base), or a rear-facing, convertible car seat. It can be more confusing for toddlers, though, as there are more options for toddler car seats.
Infant car seat covers are popular with parents, as they can help keep your baby warm and help you change up the design and fabrics of the current car seat cover for your infant or toddler's car seat.
Finding the right car seat and using it correctly seems difficult enough for most people, but your child may need a specially made car seat if he has certain medical conditions. Learn which ones are available for kids in casts, those who have cerebral palsy and other muscle tone disorders, and those who have behavior disorders that cause them to repeatedly undo a car seat's harness straps.
During the winter, when many kids wear extra clothing, including sweaters and heavy winter coats, these extra layers can pose another 'hidden hazard' as you try to use your child's car seat correctly.
Even if you are using your car seat correctly, there are some new concerns that it may not be as safe as you think. Consumer Reports recently tested 12 infant car seats and put them through the same crash tests that are used for most new vehicles. These crash tests are more vigorous than current car seat crash tests and the majority of the car seats did not perform well.
Although many people throw away the registration card, along with the packaging that came with their car seat, it is important to keep in mind that sending in your registration card and registering your baby's car seat is a good way to make sure that the manufacturer can contact your baby's car seat is recalled.
A photo of a premature baby in a car seat getting ready to go home from the NICU.
Our Car Seat Inspector can help you choose a car seat and make sure that your child is riding safely in the car.
Most parents already understand that their baby is safest riding in the back seat facing backwards in their car seat, but where in the back seat?
Learn to prevent injuries from car accidents by using your car seat correctly, placing your children in the right car seat, and not moving them out of a car seat or booster before they are ready for regular seat belts.
My Pediatrician said that I should keep my five year old in a booster car seat, but the law here in Texas says that kids only have to ride in a car seat up until they are four years old. Who is right?
My 3 1/2 year old daughter is 33 pounds. Can we move her into a belt positioning booster seat, instead of a car seat or booster seat with harness straps?
Take our car seat safety quiz to see if your children are safe when riding in a car.
Learn to compare prices and features of the different seats to find the one that fits your child best.
Expert Q&A. We were just in a car accident. Fortunately, everyone was restrained and no one was injured. Can we still use our children's car seats even though they were in an accident?
Search for a Car Seat Safety Inspection Station in your area by entering your zip code or simply searching your state and make sure that you are using your child's car seat correctly.
Cut down on crying and learn how to make those car trips easier on you and your baby with these car seat tips from author Elizabeth Pantley.
A belt positioning booster seat boosts child up providing a higher sitting height, which allows the adult lap and shoulder belt to fit properly.
Forward facing only car seats are for toddlers and preschool age children who are between 20 and 40 pounds.
A high back booster with 5-point harness can be used for children that are 20-40 pounds and for bigger kids as a belt-positioning booster seat.
Convertible car seats can be used rear and forward facing for infants from birth to 40 pounds.
Rear facing infant seats are used for children under 12 months of age who are also under 20 pounds.
It is estimated that less than 10 percent of children who should be restrained in booster seats ride in one. When did you move your kids to regular seat belts?
Car seats and winter coats can be a dangerous combination for babies. How can you tell if your baby's winter coat or infant snowsuit can safely be used in a car seat? Learn an important car seat safety lesson from your Guide to Baby Products and a car seat expert.
American Academy of Pediatrics - 2006 Family Shopping Guide to Car Seats
From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, information to keep your child safe in your car, with a guide to booster seats, air bags and safety tips.
Learn to avoid the factors that contribute to preventable injuries from car accidents, including carseats used incorrectly or not used at all, children being placed in the wrong type of car seat, and moving children out of a car seat or booster and into regular seat belts at too early an age.
Is your child's car seat safe? Information and advice to help you find the best car seat for your child. Plus a Technical Encyclopedia of Child Passenger Safety.
